Bambi eBook

The next day brought only a note from Strong congratulating
her enthusiastically, and prophesying a great success
for the Jocelyn family. She spent a restless
day waiting for the postman, afraid to leave the house
for fear she would miss a wire. She grew so nervous
that she scolded Ardelia and fussed at the Professor.
Night found her entirely discouraged. Something
had happened. Frohman had changed his mind, or
Jarvis had refused. She had known all along that
it was too good to be true. She tossed all night,
sleepless, her mind running around like a squirrel
in a trap, planning another trip to see the manager.

The early morning found her pacing the paths of the
frostbitten garden, where the Professor found her
later.

“Why, good morning, Bambi mia,” said he,
in surprise.

“Good day, Herr Vater!”

“What brings you forth so early, lady-bird?”

“My hateful thoughts! Oh, daddy, there’s
a crick in the secret.”

“A crick? Dear me, what a pity!”

“If it doesn’t get itself straightened
out to-day, I shall go to New York again, to see what
I can do.”

“The companionship of a secret is often corruptive
to good habits, such as sleep and appetite. Better
tell me this mystery.”

“If it isn’t settled to-day, I will tell
you.”

“Very good.”

“These late asters are hardy things?”

“Yes. The rest of the poor beds are full
of ghosts.”

“Ghosts always stalk, don’t they?”

He looked at her in concern. “You are upset,”
he said, and they both laughed.

She followed him about for an hour, talking, watching
his exact, methodical movements. The early morning
air was keen, in spite of the sun. When the postman
appeared on the block she ran to the gate to meet
him. He was an old friend, on the route ever since
she could remember.

He laughed at her discomfited face and handed her
the letter. A quick glance showed the Empire
Theatre in one corner. She blew him a kiss on
her finger tips.

“I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me, dear
Mr. Ben. That’s it!”

“I tell you I’m a regular little Cupid.
Don’t know what the girls in this town would
do without me,” he laughed, as he trudged away.
Bambi read:

“MY DEAR MRS. JOCELYN: It gives me pleasure
to announce that Mr. Jarvis Jocelyn has almost agreed
to accept the commission. I think he feels that
it is condescension on his part, but he accepts conditionally.
He carried off the copies of the magazine to read
your story, and he is to give me his answer to-day.
As I am sure of a favourable one, I think we may consider
the matter settled.